Burning at the stake

Decapitation

The two oldest most brutal forms of execution has to be burning at the
stake and decapitation. These two forms were used in the 19th century into
the early 20th. Their usage ceased due to the new developments of
technology and outcries of cruel and unusual punishment. With the easier,
less gruesome forms of capital punishment coming into existence these obsolete
practices were halted all together.

Burning at the stake is commonly associated with witches. If one was
convicted of a crime they would be burned at the stake. The condemned
would be tied to a long shaft surrounded by wood and kindling. The pile
beneath them would be lit on fire and the flames would climb engulfing the
victim and eventually kill them. The whole process is a slow and painful
death used most famously in the Salem Witch Trials.

Decapitation was accomplished by the use of the guillotine. The guillotine
was invented by a Dr. Guillotine in France. It was used primarily during
the French Revolution to execute the prisoners that were convicted of treason.
As most of you already know, the convicted's head was placed at the base of a
razor sharp blade. When the blade was released it would come down on it's
victim, cutting their head off at the shoulders.